Complaints of back pain can be heard from almost every modern person. And for many, such an unpleasant symptom accompanies almost constantly. In most cases, the cause of back problems is osteochondrosis. This is a disease in which cartilage and bone tissue in various parts of the spine is destroyed. Moreover, with age, the risk of pathology increases significantly.
Today, its signs are observed in almost every second patient who has reached the age of twenty. If the initial symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine are found, the treatment of the disease should be started immediately. Otherwise, the development of the disease will negatively affect human he alth.
Determination of pathology
What is spinal osteochondrosis? This is a pathogenic process that affects the articular cartilage. It also has a negative effect on the bones nearby. At its first stageosteochondrosis affects only the discs located between the vertebrae and fasten them. With the development of the dystrophic process, the ligaments are affected. The disease then spreads to the vertebrae and destroys the joints.
Osteochondrosis of the spine is quite insidious. The fact is that the affected cartilage of the discs is not able to recover in the future. This leads to the fact that the part of the spine that affected the disease will slowly and inexorably collapse. What to do when signs of illness appear? If symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine are detected and the treatment of the pathology is started in a timely manner, then this process can be suspended. It is impossible to completely eliminate the disease.
Degrees of disease
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine will directly depend on the development of the disease. After all, each of these stages has its own characteristics:
- First degree. At the initial stage of the disease, the intervertebral disc is torn. It can be provoked by inaccurate movements or heavy physical exertion. In this case, the symptoms of the disease are sensations similar to an electrical discharge. There are also pronounced pains.
- Second degree. At this stage of the pathology, the spine loses stability, which is accompanied by the development of protrusions. A person has pain that increases with inaccurate movements. The main symptoms of this form of the disease are numbness in the fingers, temporary discomfort in the sacrum, and frequent headaches.
- Third degree. In this state, the patienta hernia appears, discomfort occurs in the area of \u200b\u200bthe disturbed nerve. A person is tormented by headaches, legs and arms often go numb, hearing and vision deteriorate, malfunctions occur in the functioning of most organs.
- Fourth degree. This stage is characterized by the disappearance of hernia symptoms and a decrease in the manifestations of the disease. The spine then loses its stability due to twisting or slipping of the vertebrae. At the same time, they sometimes grow, squeezing the nerves. As a result of this process, the entire spinal canal atrophies.
Stages of the disease
The treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine also depends on this factor.
- The first stage. It is a consequence of moisture deficiency and loss of elasticity. During this period, the core is displaced inside the spinal disc. A similar process provokes a change in the shape of the fibrous rings. However, it does not extend beyond the intervertebral disc.
- Second stage. During this period, crack formation begins in the ring. Loss of spinal stability due to reduced height of the flattened disc.
- Third stage. In places of cracks, gaps begin to appear. Inflammation develops. Part of the core liquid seeps through microcracks. In places of rupture, compression of blood vessels and nerves occurs.
- The fourth stage. At this stage, dystrophic processes begin. The vertebrae approach each other, causing complications in the form of spondylosis and spondyloarthrosis. Sometimes there is a replacement of fibrous tissue with bone. At the initial stage of this stage, there is a temporary decrease in pain. But afterdiscomfort is exacerbated by pressure on the nerves.
Causes of disease
If symptoms of osteochondrosis of the spine are found, the pathology is treated both in the elderly and in young people. Most often, the development of the disease is caused by vibrations, back injuries and overloads. However, the exact cause of the disease has not yet been established. There is an opinion that the onset of the process is provoked due to the irrational distribution of the load and due to the weakness of the ligaments and muscles. A similar theory is convincingly proved by various methods of treating osteochondrosis of the spine. After all, they provide for training the ligaments and the muscular apparatus.
However, there are a number of factors that provoke the pathological process. Their list includes: overweight and poor posture, flat feet and injuries, metabolic disorders and infections, low physical fitness and stress, hormonal disruptions and malnutrition, sedentary work and hypothermia, smoking and some others.
Sometimes even a person leading a proper lifestyle can suffer from osteochondrosis due to a lack of essential nutrients in the body. Today, this problem is one of the key ones in modern society.
Types of disease
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine varies depending on the affected area. In this case, the disease is divided into thoracic, cervical, and also lumbar. Sometimes several parts of the spine are involved in the pathological process at once. Such occurrences indicate its common form.
Most oftendoctors indicate the presence of lumbar osteochondrosis. It is common in almost 50% of patients. The second place is occupied by a disease of the cervical region. This type of osteochondrosis is found in a quarter of all cases, as a result of a long stay at the computer or monotonous work. As for the disease that develops in the chest area, its symptoms are almost invisible. Especially when compared with manifestations in the lumbar and cervical region. This is due to the low mobility of the vertebrae located in the thoracic region. In this regard, there is a widespread belief that this type of ailment is a very rare disease. However, it is not. And this department of the spine requires the treatment of osteochondrosis quite often.
Disease symptoms
Starting treatment of cervical osteochondrosis of the spine will be needed when symptoms such as:
- persistent headaches;
- voice change;
- pressure surges;
- dizziness;
- hearing loss;
- snoring;
- vision loss;
- tooth decay.
With what symptoms should the treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine be started immediately? Among them are the following:
- pain during palpation;
- significant back muscle fatigue;
- problems with various organs;
- chest and back pains.
With what symptoms is the treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine carried out without delay? On the development of the disease in this areaindicate:
- foot numbness;
- back pain;
- decrease in skin temperature;
- disturbances in the process of urination;
- stool problems;
- muscle tension;
- loss of activity;
- varicose veins.
Methods of getting rid of the disease
How is the diagnosis and treatment of symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine? Elimination of the pathology of the supporting elements of the skeleton is a very long process. If it is planned to treat osteochondrosis of the spine at home, then, first of all, you will need to consult a specialist (surgeon, orthopedist or therapist). This will allow you to choose the right direction and prevent the sad consequences of the pathology.
The correct diagnosis of the disease and the determination of its degree is made only by a highly qualified doctor. They will examine the patient, collect information about his lifestyle, frequency, nature and place of occurrence of uncomfortable sensations. And only after an accurate diagnosis, treatment begins, which can be both conservative and operative. The chosen method will directly depend on the physical fitness and age of the patient, his emotional state, financial situation and existing contraindications.
How is osteochondrosis of the spine treated at its early stage? Reviews of specialists and patients clearly indicate that during this period, conservative therapy will be the best option. At the same time, the doctor appointsnecessary medications. At the same time, the use of therapeutic exercises is recommended. Manual and reflexology will be a great help in recovery.
The most effective medicines in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, as well as the thoracic and lumbar, are sedatives and non-narcotic analgesics. In addition, vitamins from group B are prescribed. Such treatment is usually used to eliminate inflammation and pain in case of recurrence of the pathology.
When using reflexology, paraffin baths, needle and laser therapy, ultrasound and electrical stimulation are recommended. Mud baths, as well as iodine therapy, are very useful for such an ailment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine with drugs must certainly be accompanied by physiotherapy exercises. Recommended exercises involve strengthening muscles and releasing pinched nerve endings.
If conservative treatment fails, the hernia will need to be removed. In such cases, surgical interventions are performed or classical methods are used.
Elimination of cervical osteochondrosis
This form of pathology is eliminated, as a rule, using conservative methods. Such treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can last for several months. Get rid of the disease in a shorter time will not work.
The treatment of the cervical spine must be carried out in a complex. In doing so, methods are usedlike:
- drug therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- physiotherapy.
Hirudotherapy and acupuncture can be used as non-traditional methods. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine at home is also carried out when performing a set of yoga exercises. As for surgical intervention, it is used extremely rarely. Operations are carried out only in the case of available indications of a certain nature. Alternative treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is also allowed. However, the methods used in this case must be agreed with the doctor.
The main method of dealing with cervical osteochondrosis is taking medication. Patients are prescribed injections, as well as prescribed drugs for external application. Such drugs can eliminate pain, relieve inflammation and alleviate the general condition of the patient. The selection of the most effective remedy should be carried out only by a specialist.
The following medicines will eliminate the pathology:
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs;
- relaxing;
- vitamin complexes;
- vasodilating;
- improving blood circulation;
- antidepressants.
Many experts recommend chondroprotectors to their patients. With their help, the symptoms are eliminated and there is a positive effect on the process of recovery of the affected areas. These are Teraflex and Alflutop.
Gels are recommended for ease of movement and painand ointments. The most popular of them are Khondra-Sila, Kapsikam, Chondroxide and Voltaren.
Simultaneously with taking medications, the patient needs to undergo physiotherapy. With their help, the effectiveness of the drugs used is significantly increased and the intervertebral discs and joints are restored.
In this case, the following procedures may be recommended:
- ultrasound therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- massage;
- manual therapy.
The fight against osteochondrosis of the cervical spine must be carried out with regular exercise from the course of therapeutic exercises. Exercise therapy is able to produce a significant effect with a positive effect on the condition of the muscles and due to the normalization of natural processes in the spine. Consider some of these exercises:
- The patient standing should tilt his head forward. Stay like this for 10-15 s. At this time, there must be a feeling of slight tension in the muscles. After the head must be tilted back. In this position, it is also worth lingering a little.
- It is recommended to turn your head to the left and then to the right, holding each of these positions for 5-10 seconds. The tension in the neck should be pleasant.
- The patient is asked to make circular movements with his shoulders - 5 back and forth. Repeat the exercise five to ten times.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine at homeinvolves the use of folk methods. Of course, it is impossible to eliminate the pathology with their help, but they still allow you to cope with the elimination of symptoms. It should be borne in mind that treatment using tinctures, compresses and other means is an additional therapy and should not replace the advice of a doctor.
Recipes of folk healers, which are used to relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis, involve the use of products of plant and animal origin. The main direction of such funds is to ensure the warming effect of the area with progressive pathological processes. That is why they are used in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine of the lumbar and thoracic, and not just the cervical.
The most popular is the recipe that uses powdered analgin (table 10), iodine (10 drops), medical alcohol (100 g) and camphor oil (tbsp). Mixing all these ingredients allows you to get a remedy that, judging by the reviews of patients, wonderfully relieves pain after rubbing.
Another effective recipe is to use ordinary vodka (300 g), honey (200 g), and aloe juice (2 tablespoons). The products are thoroughly mixed and infused for 12 hours. Such a tool is used for rubbing and compresses.
Good reviews in the treatment of osteochondrosis receive herbal teas. They are brewed from strawberries, elderberry, string, mint, chamomile and other medicinal plants.
Cervical osteochondrosis in most cases develops with the wrong lifestyle. Exactlytherefore, in order to prevent the disease, you will need:
- avoid significant physical activity;
- exercise exercise regularly;
- eliminate bad habits;
- eat right;
- try not to be nervous.
With the observance of preventive measures, the healing process is greatly accelerated. This eliminates the possibility of relapse.
Elimination of thoracic osteochondrosis
As in the previous case, the patient is prescribed various drugs. Treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine of the cervicothoracic and thoracic regions is carried out with the use of painkillers, as well as those that relieve muscle tension, if the patient has it.
Chondroprotectors are also prescribed by the doctor. Such funds help the process of restoration of cartilage tissue. Their action is aimed at retaining fluid inside the disc of the spine. At the same time, a complex of vitamins is also recommended, as well as preparations containing calcium. Such funds are necessary to support the body. This will give him strength to fight the disease. At the same time, it is worth remembering that going to the doctor will give confidence in the correct selection of funds to alleviate the course of osteochondrosis.
One of the important elements of eliminating back pain will be therapeutic massage. It can be done independently or by resorting to the services of a specialist.
Swimming will have a beneficial effect on the spine. It remarkably helps in the fight against osteochondrosis.
The same as with anyanother type of pathology, with an ailment of this department, therapeutic exercises are a great help. When performing exercises, the results will depend entirely on the efforts of the patient. The proposed complex, as a rule, is simple and does not require special training from a person. It is especially important to choose the right exercises.
To eliminate thoracic osteochondrosis you will need:
- Lying on your back, put your hands behind your head. When relying on them, raise the body from the waist to the head so that it is approximately 10 cm to the floor. In this position, it is recommended to hold out for some time. The exercise is repeated 5 times.
- Throw your hands behind your head. Raise your legs until they touch the floor behind your head. There is no need to bend your knees. Having reached this position, you will need to hold out in it for a few seconds. After a short rest, repeat all the steps.
- Pull the bent legs to the chest. Supporting them with your hands under your knees, try to tear your buttocks off the floor. Stay in this position for a few seconds. After a short rest, repeat the exercise.
- Lying on your stomach, lean on the floor with your hands. At the same time, the upper part of the body should be raised so that the spine is arched. Stand in this position for a few seconds, and then, after resting a little, do everything a few more times.
- Lying on your back and spreading your arms to the side and tear them off the floor along with your head. Hold on in this state for a few seconds. Repeat several times.
It is important to remember that all exercises of therapeutic exercises should be performed without undue stress. If pain occurs, they should be interrupted and rested. Reviews of the treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine allow us to judge the effectiveness of exercises if they are carried out in accordance with all the rules.
Elimination of lumbar osteochondrosis
After the manifestation of the first signs of pathology, it is necessary to visit a doctor. How is a disease affecting the lumbar and sacral region of the spine treated? In case of an ailment detected at the initial stages of its development, therapy with conventional pharmacological agents is required.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is accompanied by acupuncture, exercise therapy courses, manual and magnetic therapy.
A popular folk remedy that is used as a supplement to general practice is hirudotherapy. It relieves the symptoms of the disease and speeds up the healing process.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral spine in the later stages requires surgical intervention.
When contacting a doctor in case of detection of the first signs of pathology, as a rule, medication is prescribed. It has a similar scheme, coinciding with the elimination of osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic regions, including chondroprotectors, and nonsteroidal drugs and vitamins. Such therapy is especially effective in the initial stages of the disease. In parallel with this, a blockade of the spine can be performed. She isis designed to relieve acute pain when the drug is injected directly into the source of its occurrence.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the sacral-lumbar spine using:
- local ointments that relieve pain ("Diclofenac", "Diklak", "Voltaren");
- non-steroidal analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs (Celebrex, Rofika, Nurofen);
- muscle relaxants designed to reduce muscle tone, immobilize foci of pain ("Mydocalm", "Sirdalud");
- chondroprotectors ("Struktum", "Don");
- vitamins of group B, allowing to regulate muscle tone ("Milgamma").
At the first symptoms of lumbar osteochondrosis, it is most reasonable to immediately begin to perform therapeutic exercises with regularity. Of course, a wide range of medicines helps to cope with pain today. They are certainly prescribed by the doctor at the first visit of the patient. However, the elimination of pain will not at all mean victory over the disease. Most often, this is only some retreat of the pathology. The main method for eliminating not only lumbar, but also any other type of osteochondrosis is physical exercise. They correct defects in the spine and strengthen the muscles around it, which improves the mobility of the area in the ailment zone.
With lumbar osteochondrosis, it is necessary to start with the easiest exercises, gradually complicating the complex. Consider some of them:
- Lying onstretch on the sofa, holding on to its back, and stretch out your socks. In this position, you need to stay for a very short time, and then relax the muscles. Repeat this exercise several times.
- Legs bent at the knees. Grasp one of them with your hands, begin to pull it towards you and let it go back. After ten such movements, they are repeated with the other knee.
- Lying on your back, you will need to bend your right leg at the knee and, straightening it, slowly raise it, and then lower it. After 4-5 similar swings, the movements are repeated, but with the other leg.
- Bending your knees in a prone position, raise your pelvis, holding it for a few seconds, and then slowly lie down again.
- In a standing position, turns to the left and also to the right. Both hands at the same time go back with an overlap.
It is worth noting that osteochondrosis is not considered as a sentence. Many patients do not experience frequent discomfort with this type of pathology. The elimination of osteochondrosis and the prevention of its acute forms will directly depend on the timeliness of contacting a doctor, as well as on how much a person is ready to invest in his well-being and find the strength to maintain his he alth.